Political activity rules basically same for active-duty, reserve

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  Citizen Airmen serving in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve follow the same rules governing political activity as their active-duty compatriots.

Questions about what Airmen can or cannot do abound in this presidential election year, and some situations have become national news. The rules on political activity are largely the same for all Airmen in uniform, but one area differs.

Although active-duty Airmen are prohibited from holding public office, reservists and guardsmen can, said Philip Donohoe, Air Force Reserve Command director of general law.

“But fulfilling the duties of these offices must stop once a reservist or guardsman puts on the uniform and reports for duty,” Mr. Donohoe said.

Air Force reservists and guardsmen who are serving on active duty under Title 10 of the U.S. Code for more than 30 days must comply with the active-duty rules contained in Air Force Instruction 51-902, “Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force.” Reservists and guardsmen who are on active duty less than 30 days follow the more general guidelines set out in Paragraph 8 of AFI 51-902.

All reservists and guardsmen must refrain from participating in any political activity while in uniform and from using government facilities for political activities. Guardsmen who perform duties in Title 32 USC status should be aware of any special restrictions on political activities imposed by their respective state authorities.

While active-duty Airmen may not campaign for, or hold, elective civil office, reservists and guardsmen are not so constrained. As long as they are not serving on extended active duty -- defined to be active duty under a call or order for more than 270 days -- reservists may campaign for, and hold, partisan or nonpartisan civil office. It must be held in a private capacity and must not interfere with the performance of military duties.

When reservists and guardsmen campaign for elective office, they must be careful to avoid using their military status as a political selling point. For example, a reservist campaigning for office should not use political flyers that show the reservist in his or her military uniform.

Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, “Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty,” gives guidance to all military branches and is the source for AFI 51-902. Political activities of civilian federal government employees fall under the guidance of the Hatch Act, and the Joint Ethics Regulation, DOD 5500.7-R, Chapter 6, "Political Activities."